Hydroponics apparatus



March 18, 1969 c. SMnH ET AL 3,432,965

HYDROPONICS APPARATUS Filed July 5, 1966 Sheet of 5 INVENTORS Charles M.Smith Roberf V. Wils0n,dr.

ATTORNEY March 18, 1969 c, sMlTH ET AL HYDROPONIGS APPARATUS Sheet FiledJuly 5, 1966 ZNVENTORS Charles M. Smith Ruben V. Wilson, Jr.

ATTORNEY March 18, 1969 c $M|TH ET AL HYDROPONI CS APPARATUS Filed July5, 1966 m O r m J wmw m mm S. W V 5 mm r m o R BY ATTORNEY March 18,1969 c $M|TH ET AL 3,432,965

HYDROPONICS APPARATUS Filed July 5, 1966 INVENTORS Charles M. SmithRobert V. Wilson, Jr.

ATTORNEY March 18, 1969 c n- ET AL HYDROPONI C S APPARATUS Sheet FiledJuly 5, 1966 Fig.|2

INVENTORS Charles M. Smiih Robert V.Wilson,Jn /Z%%/ ATTORNEY UnitedStates Patnt O 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE There is disclosedhydroponic apparatus for automatic germination of seed, growth ofproduce therefrom and harvesting of the produce in which there isprovided a frame and conveyor means which comprise a pair ofsubstantially parallel and spaced apart members supported within theframe along a tortuou path for movement therethrough. The tortuous pathincludes a plurality of spaced apart, substantially horizontallydisposed sections arranged in a vertical array. Containers are rotatablyconnected to the flexible members whereby the containers will remain inan upright position when carried by the flexible members along thetortuous path. There is also provided feeder means for introducing seedinto each container as it enters the vertical array, and cleaning meanspositioned between the harvesting means and the seed dispensing meansfor cleaning and sterilizing each container by directing hot water orsteam onto the container as the container is transported from theharvesting means to the seed dispensing means.

The science of hydroponics is very old, although very little, ifanything has been done in the Way of realizing any substantial quantityof production of plant material or produce by mean of this science. Mostof the work in the hydroponics science has been performed manuallyinsofar as the handling of the seed from the time it has germinated tothe time that growth of the plant material has been attained. The costof labor involved in hydroponically growing produce has severely limitedits com mercial acceptance, although substantial interest has beenaccorded hydroponics for many years.

A primary advantage of hydroponics is that soil is not required withinwhich the plants or produce are grown. It is therefore at leasttheoretically possible to eliminate vast areas of ground and soil withinwhich plants are normally grown, and to allow the seed and plantmaterial to be compacted in practically any desired configuration solong as sufficient water is provided for the plants to grow. Bydecreasing the time required for plant material to grow, the science ofhydroponics can be quite useful in the mass production of food for bothanimals and humans.

It is the broad object of thi invention to provide a method and anapparatus that employs the science of hydroponics to produce plantmaterial in a substantial mass quantity over a relatively short intervalof time. Moreover, it is an object to provide such an apparatus that issubstantially compact within which the plant material is produced.Further, it is an object to provide such an apparatus that is automatic,thus substantially eliminating any manpower required to operate same.

The hydroponics method and apparatus of the invention provides thefunctions of germination of seed, promoting the growth of the seed intoplant material or pro- 3,432,965 Patented Mar. 18, 1969 duce andharvesting of the produce once it is grown. The apparatus generallycomprises container means within which the seed is contained and withinwhich the plant material is grown therefrom, a seed dispensing means fordispensing seed into the container means just prior to the germinationand growth cycle, harvesting means for effecting the removal of theplant material from the container means once it is grown, and conveyormeans for transporting the container means through the germination andgrowth cycle from the seed dispensing means to the harvesting means, andback to the seed dispensing means, all over a time cycle suflicient topermit the growth of the plant material. In one embodiment of theinvention, the apparatus includes an enclosure within which thecontainers are transported from the seed dispensing means to theharvesting means during the germination and growth of the seeds andplant material, Temperature regulating means is provided for controllingthe temperature within the enclosure to promote the most effectivegrowth of the material, and means are provided for applying liquids tothe seed and plant growth within the enclosure. In still a furtherembodiment, cleaning means is provided between the harvesting means andthe seed dispensing means along which the container means aretransported, so that the container means are cleaned after the produceis harvested therefrom, but before the seed is introduced into thecontainer means.

In yet a further embodiment of the invention, the conveyor meanscomprises a pair of substantially parallel and spaced apart flexiblemembers which are supported within a framework along a tortuous path formovement therethrough. Container means, in the form' of a plurality ofindividual containers, are supported in upright, horizontal positionsbetween the pair of flexible members and are conveyed along the tortuouspath with the flexible members. Prefer-ably, the tortuous path includesa plurality of substantially horizontal and spaced apart sections foreach of the flexible members in which the horizontal sections aredisposed in a vertical array. This vertical array portion of theapparatus is surrounded by an enclosure and constitutes the germinationand growth zones of the apparatus. Suitable means are provided formoving the flexible members throughout the tortuous path in a continuousmovement so that the containers are conveyed through the vertical array,past the harvesting means, the cleaning means and the seed dispensingmeans, and back into the vertical array. The tortuous path of theconveyor means permits the reduction in size of the over-all hydroponicsapparatus to a compact unit. Further, it facilitates the application ofliquids to the seed and growth material within the enclosure and theaccurate control of temperature therewithin. In yet another embodiment,means are provided for draining excess liquids from the container meansso as to eliminate molding of the seed and plant material.

Many objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomereadily apparent from the following detailed description thereof whentaken in conjunction with the appended claims and the attached drawing,wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout theseveral figures, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a partly cut away, perspective view of the automatichydroponics apparatus of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view, in section, of the apparatus shownin FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an end view, in section, of the apparatus taken throughsection lines 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the conveyor meansfor conveying container means containing seed and plant material growntherefrom through the apparatus;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary, end view, in section, of the conveyor meanstaken through section line 5-5 of FIGURE 4 illustrating one means forattaching the con tainer means to the conveyor means;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary, perspective view, partly in section, of thecontainer means and conveyor means shown in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary, end view, in section, illustrating anothermeans for attaching the container means to the conveyor means;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary, end elevational view of an automatic seeddispensing unit for dispensing seed into the container means;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary, side elevational view, partly in section, ofthe seed dispensing unit and container means shown in FIGURE 8, takenthrough section line-s 9-9 of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the seed dispensing unitshown in FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of a seed and plant material carryingtray as it engages means for inverting the tray to discharge the plantmaterial grown therein; and

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of another embodimentof a tray cleaning unit.

The automatic hydroponics apparatus of the invention is shown in thepartly cut-away, perspective view of FIG- URE 1, wherein the apparatusincludes a housing or enclosure 20 within which there is contained seedgermination and growth zones of the apparatus. Attached to the front ofhousing 20 is another housing or enclosure 22 (or an extension ofhousing 20), within which there is enclosed an automatic seed dispensingunit for dispensing seed into seed carrying trays, the latter of whichenter the front of the apparatus at the bottom thereof and are conveyedthrough the apparatus. The trays emerge from the top of the apparatus inthe front thereof and are emptied and cleaned by automatic means alsoenclosed within housing 22. An air conditioning and heating unit 24 isattached to the rear of housing 22 for controlling the temperaturewithin the germination and growth zones of the apparatus. Thegermination and growth zones of the apparatus are contained within aframework 26, shown in phantom, which will be described in detail below.However, the framework generally comprises a plurality of verticalstructural members 30, and a plurality of longitudinal structuralmembers 32 secured thereto forming two parallel sides of the rectangularframework 20. Lateral structural members, not shown, are also providedfor securing the two sides of the framework together.

A plurality of idler sprockets 34 are rotatably mounted on each of thetwo sides of the framework, and a pair of parallel flexible members 35,such as endless roller chains, are carried by the plurality of sprocketsthroughout the apparatus. A plurality of seed and plant growth carryingtrays 36 are carried by and between the pair of chains through theapparatus, wherein the plurality of trays are spaced apart along thelengths of the chains. Corresponding sprockets 34 are mounted oppositeeach other on the two sides of the framework and are rigidly attached toshafts 33, so that as one sprocket is caused to rotate, thecorresponding sprocket on the other side of the framework rotatesaccordingly. A pulley or roller 96 is secured to shaft 33 midway betweenthe corresponding uppermost sprockets disposed within housing 22 'wherethe seed carrying trays emerge from the apparatus after the plantmaterial has been grown. A belt 37 is carried between pulley 96 on oneend and another pulley, or pulleys, within the apparatus (not showrfl atthe other end. The purpose of belt 37 is to maintain the trays in ahorizontal position in the top of the growth zone of the apparatus, andthe dual purpose of pulley 96 is to carry belt 37 and to invert thetrays as they emerge from the apparatus to dispense the plant materialinto a dispensing tray 40, all as will be described more in detail.

Located generally in the bottom of housing 22 and adjacent the intake toenclosure 20 is an automatic seed dispensing unit 38 that dispenses seedinto the trays as the trays pass beneath the seed dispensing unit andactuates same. Prior to the trays passing beneath the seed dispensingunit, they are cleaned as they pass through a cleaning unit 42 locatedin front of housing 22. The trays can be cleaned by steam or scaldingwater, and in the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1, a heated water supply 44is provided within housing 22 for supplying heated water to the cleaningunit 42.

The apparatus includes both a seed germination zone and a growth zone,the germination zone being located in the bottom of the framework 26within housing 20, and the growth zone being located directly above thegermination zone. Moisture and nutrients are applied to the seed in thegermination zone while the proper temperature is controlled within thiszone by heating and cooling unit 24. Moreover, it is necessary toprovide the seed and plant material with moisture in the growth zone,all as the term hydroponics implies. Accordingly, a pipe or conduit 46is provided for supplying water and nutrients to a plurality of sprayingunits (not shown) within the germination zone of the apparatus. Anotherpipe or conduit 48 is provided for supplying water to a plurality ofspray units (not shown) within the growth zone of the apparatus.Actually, there are two of each of the conduits 46 and 48 provided onthe two sides of the apparatus, respectively. The conduit 46 is suppliedfrom a tank 50 containing water and nutrients, wherein the liquid issupplied to conduit 46 through conduit 52 leading from this tank.Similarly, conduit 48 is supplied from a tank 54 containing waterthrough another conduit 56. As will be described below, the liquidwithdrawn from tank 50 and sprayed into the germination zone of theapparatus is not reused. The water from the tank 54 that is sprayed intothe growth zone can 'be reused, and accordingly is returned to the tank54 through a conduit 57 after draining from the growth zone.

A suitable motor 60, electric or otherwise, is provided within housing22 and drives pumps 53 and 55 connected in conduits 52 and 54,respectively, by means of pulley belt 62. Moreover, the motor drives apump 65 connected within a conduit 64 for pumping the heated water fromtank 44 to the cleaning unit 42.

A more detailed description of the germination and growth zones of theapparatus and the over-all operation thereof will now be given inconjunction with the side elevational view, in section, of FIGURE 2,wherein this description will generally conform to the chronologicalsequence of the plant growth from the start to finish. In addition,reference will be had to the fragmentary, end view, in section, ofFIGURE 3, taken through section lines 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

Trays 36, which extend laterally the width between the framework andwhich are supported and conveyed through the apparatus by the chains 35,enter the framework 26 within housing 20 at the bottom front thereof asdenoted by the arrow. This view shows a plurality of vertically spacedapart sprockets 34 rotatably mounted on a vertical member 30 at the rearof the framework, and another plurality of vertically spaced apartsprockets 34 rotatably mounted on another vertical framework 30 at thefront of the framework. Additional sprockets, as already noted, aresupported within the front housing 22. An endless roller chain 35 passesabout and engages each sprocket within the framework in a tortuous pathbetween front and rear sprockets to form a plurality of substantiallyhorizontal sections of the chain that are spaced apart in a verticalarray. The endless chain also passes about the sprockets located withinthe front housing 22 so that the trays carried thereby can be processedin and out of the framework. One of the sprockets 74 disposed at therear of the framework is driven through a belt or chain 78 by means of asuitable motor 76 through a speed reducer 77. Sprocket 74 is driven atthe desired speed and causes the chain to be driven through theapparatus on all of the sprockets.

An outlet 82, communicating with a blower within the heating and airconditioning unit 24, is directed into the framework to control thetemperature therewithin.

The trays 36 enter the front of the framework at the bottom thereof intowhat is referred to as the germination zone. FIGURE 3 shows an end view,in section, of the germination zone, which zone is separated from thegrowth zone disposed directly thereabove by a battle 86 that extendssubstantially the length and width of the framework. Spray pipes 84having a plurality of nozzles 85 spaced along the length thereof areprovided along the sides of the germination zone and communicate withconduit 46, the latter of which supplies the spray pipes from tank 50.The trays are pivotally supported on the chains from the two endsthereof in much the same way as a carriage is supported on a ferriswheel. As the trays are conveyed throughout the length of thegermination zone and pass over the first set of pulleys at the rear ofthe framework, the trays remain in an upright position as a result ofthe pivotal connections and the center of gravity. The trays are thenconveyed the length of the germination zone in an opposite direction topass over another set of sprockets disposed at the front of theframework, and so forth for as many passes through the germination zoneas may be required. During the passage through the germination zone,water and nutrients are applied to the seed in the trays through spraysfrom nozzles 85.

Referring specifically to FIGURE 3, the trays, which are pivotallyattached and supported at their ends between the opposite chains leave aside wall comprised of sections 122 and 124, corresponding bottomsections 126 and 128, respectively, and end walls 134 and 135. It isnecessary that the water sprayed onto the seeds be drained therefrom toprevent molding of the seed. Accordingly, drain holes or outlets 129 and130 are provided in the bottom adjacent the two ends, respectively, ofthe trays and, in the embodiment shown, the floors 126 and 128 of thetrays slope inwardly and upwardly to cause the water to drain.Alternatively, the floors can be made to slope inwardly and downwardlywith holes or outlets provided near the center of the tray for drainage.

The seed, in its ungerminated state, has a natural wax coating thereonwhich is dissolved and washed away by the water sprayed into the trays.This water cannot be reused because of the wax contained therein. Todispose of the water draining from the trays within the germinationzone, a slanted baffle 88 is provided in the bottom of the frameworkwhich drains through an outlet 90 at the rear of the apparatus.

Besides the longitudinal structural members 32 forming part of theframework, additional longitudinal structural members 94 are secured tothe vertical members 30 along the length of the framework on each sideand serve the purpose of providing support surfaces on top of which thechains ride. These particular members will be described in furtherdetail below.

The growth zone of the apparatus extends from just above batfle 86 tothe vicinity of the top of the framework, wherein the trays are conveyedby means of the chains and sprockets through another plurality of passesthrough the framework in a tortuous path as described with reference tothe germination zone. Additional spray pipes 92, connected to conduit48, are disposed up and down the two sides of the framework within thegrowth zone, and direct a fine spray of water into the air surroundingthe trays from the plurality of nozzles 85. Clean water is sprayed intothe growth zone from tank 54 for causing the plant material or produceto continue to grow throughout the growth zone. Simultaneously, theheating unit 24 maintains the proper temperature within the growth zoneby means of the heated, or chilled, air blown through the outlet 82 ofthe heating unit. It is desirable that the humidity of both thegermination and growth zones be maintained at the 85%-100% level, whichis adequately accomplished by the spraying of Water within both zones.

After the trays within which the plant material or produce is grown hascompleted the path through the growth zone, the trays emerge from thefront of the framework into housing 22 at the top thereof. The chainspass over pulleys 34 disposed in the top of housing 22, whereby thetrays are engaged along the bottoms thereof by the pulley or roller 96.The belt 37 extending between pulley 96 in the front of the apparatusand pulley 97 in the rear of the apparatus aids in supporting the traysin a level position to prevent the trays from tipping over as a resultof the weight of the plant material grown.

As the trays pass over pulley 96, they are at least partially invertedso as to dump or discharge the plant material therefrom onto adispensing tray or baflle 40. Any suitable container can 'be disposedbeneath tray 40 to receive the plant material. After the trays pass overpulley 96, they return to the upright position and are conveyed by thechains down into the cleaning unit 42.

The cleaning unit also includes a pulley 98 secured to a shaft supportedbetween two opposing sprockets in the same manner as pulley 96. As thetrays engage pulley 98, they are again at least partially inverted sothat the interiors thereof can be cleaned. The cleaning unit 42 isconnected through pump 65 and conduit 104 to a scalding water tank 44,and scalding water is sprayed into the inverted trays through nozzles102 connected to the pump and conduit. A suitable drain 108 is providedto the cleaning unit to dispose of the used water. The scalding watertank 44 is provided with an intake 106 through which it is supplied withthe water.

The cleaning of the trays after passing through the apparatus isnecessary to kill all bacteria and other organic substance that wouldaffect the growth of the plant material. Scalding water effectivelysterilizes the trays in this respect. Alternatively, steam sprays can bedirected onto the trays.

An enlarged view of the trays carried by the chains is shown in FIGURE4, wherein this view primarily illustrates that the trays remain in anupright position as the chains are carried about the sprockets to changethe direction of movement of the chain and trays through the apparatus.

Referring particularly to all of FIGURES 3, 5 and 6, wherein FIGURE 5 isa fragmentary end view, partly in section, of the details of the meansfor supporting the trays on the chains, and FIGURE 6 is a fragmentaryperspective view of same, a bushing or bearing 131 is coupled into oneof the chain links through which a pin 132 passes for supporting thetray. Similar bushings or bearings are coupled in the links of thechains in spaced apart relation along the lengths thereof for supportingthe other trays. The pin 132 has a shoulder adjacent the inward endthereof to engage the outer surface of an upwardly extending flange ofthe end wall 134 of the tray. The pin passes through a hole 136 in theflange 135 and is rigidly secured to this flange by any suitable means,such as a nut threaded on the pin. Pin 132 is free to rotate relative tobearing 131, so that as the chain passes over the sprocket, the pin canrotate within the bearing in response to the weight of the tray tendingto maintain the tray in an upright position.

Because of the natural tendency of the chains to sag between forward andrearward sprockets, a supporting surface 94 is provided betweensprockets along the lengths 94 comprises a metal angle iron member thatis sup-' ported from vertical structural members by means of anysuitable brackets 95. Thus each chain is provided with a horizontalsurface along each path running the length of the framework, whereby thechains ride on the surface and remain in the plane thereof. Because ofthis surface and the fact that pin 132 is rigidly secured to the tray,the weight of the tray will not cause the chain to become laterallytilted out of the plane of the supporting surface.

Another embodiment of means for supporting the tray from the chain isshown in the fragmentary view, partly in section, of FIGURE 7. Allcomponents are the same as previously described with the exception ofthe tray being provided at the end walls thereof with a cylindricalrecess 142 carried on a flange 140 extending above the tray, and anenlarged cylindrical end 144 is provided to pin 132 and istelescopically received within the cylindrical recess 142. Thedimensions of the recess portion 142 and enlarged cylindrical end 144can be such as to provide a tight fit so that the pin 132 is rigidlysecured to the tray, or alternatively, the pin can be free to rotaterelative to both the tray and bearing 131 coupled in the chain.

Other suitable arrangements can be provided to pivotally support thetrays from the chains. For example, the trays can include pins integraltherewith that can be inserted in bearings or bushings coupled in thechain links, so that the fin rotates relative to the bushing when thechain is disposed in other than a horizontal position. A fragmentary,front elevational view of the seed dispensing means as actuated by theconveyor means and container means is shown in FIGURE 8, and a sideelevational view, in section, taken through section lines 99 of FIGURE 8is shown in FIGURE 9. In conjunction therewith, a fragmentaryperspective view of the seed dispensing means is shown in FIGURE 10. Theseed dispensing means includes a hopper 38 and dispensing chamber 154disposed beneath the hopper in communication therewith. Disposed belowthe dispenser is an outlet 150 which communicates with the dispenser andis directed to discharge seed therethrough into the trays when thelatter are disposed beneath the dispenser outlet. In the embodimentshown, the hopper is.generally rectangular in horizontal cross-sectionand has slanted sides for the smooth flow of seeds downward. Thedispenser is generally cylindrical, and the dispenser outlet isgenerally flared outward at the lower end and runs the length of thetrays. An axle or shaft 152 is supported within the dispenser 154 alongthe axis thereof running laterally with respect to the framework, and isjournaled in the enclosed ends of the dispenser for rotation relativethereto. Generally rectangular vanes 156 are secured to shaft 152 alongtheir lengths pa'fhllel with the axis of the dispenser and are rotatedtherewith with this shaft. The number of vanes 156 is selected inconjunction with the internal radius of the dispenser so as to provide aspace 158 of predetermined volume between adjacent vanes. Disposed inthe hopper just above the dispenser is another shaft 162 which is alsorotatably mounted at its ends through the walls of the hopper. Shaft 162has a plurality of vanes 160 secured thereto, and the shaft and vanesare rotated responsive to the rotation of shaft 152 and vanes 156 by anysuitable mechanical coupling (not shown).

A plurality of radially extending lever arms 110 in the form of anintegral unit is secured to axle 152 exterior to the dispenser end,whereby the lever arms are of sufficient length to extend slightly belowthe chain as the latter passes beneath the dispensing unit. The leverarms extend between the chain and the side wall flange of the tray intothe space between the flange of the tray and the chain. As a tray isconveyed beneath the dispensing unit, pin 132 engages one of the leverarms 110 of the dispensing unit and causes shafts 152 and 162 to berotated 8 accordingly. As the tray passes by the dispensing unit andurges one of the lever arms 110 along therewith, it brings the nextadjacent lever arm down to a position to be en gaged by the nextsucceeding tray.

Rotation of axle 152 also causes rotation of vanes 156 so as to emptyseed contained within the space 158 to drop through the dispenser outlet150. Rotation of vanes 160 on shaft 162 agitates the seed within thehooper to evenly distribute the seed laterally into the space 158between vanes. The seeds will then be evenly distributed laterallywithin the trays. Vanes 156 are also provided with flanged ends orshoulders 163 extending part way back to the next adjacent vane. Thepurpose of this flange is to cause an even distribution of the seedwithin the tray from one side wall to the other. That is to say, whenthe vanes are caused to rotate to open one of the spaces 158 incommunication with the dispenser outlet 150, the seed cannot dropthrough the outlet until the flange 163 has cleared the approach side ofthe opening. Then, some of the seed will be dispensed through the outletinto the tray, but some of the seed will still remain on shoulder 163,the latter of which is substantially in a horizontal position. As thevane continues to pass over the outlet, the remaining seed iscontinuously dispensed through the outlet as the flange 163 clears thetrailing side of the opening. This gives an even distribution of theseed between the side walls of the tray.

A perspective view of a tray is shown in FIGURE 11 as it passes overpulley 96 in the top front part of enclosure 22. As already noted, thetray is at least partially inverted at this point to dispense theproduce therefrom. Belt 37 connected between pulleys 96 and 97 aids insupporting the trays along the uppermost path through the framework justbefore emerging from the growth zone. This is sometimes required becauseof the weight of the produce in the tray tending to cause the tray totilt. Other belts can be provided between pulleys at lower levels forthe same purpose. As the tray approaches pulley 96, the pulley engagesthe bottom of the tray so that the tray rolls around the pulley andconforms to the path imposed thereby. This causes the tray to be atleast partially inverted so as to dump the contents therefrom ontodispensing tray 40. In fact, with a tray that is substantially filledwith grown produce, the tray will completely invert once it is caused toassume a tilted position, resulting from the weight of the materialproducing a torque on the tray.

Another embodiment of a cleaning unit for the tray is shown in thefragmentary, side elevational view of FIGURE 12. The cleaning unit 172is supported intermediate the upper position of exit of the trays fromthe growth zone and the lower entrance position of the trays into thegermination zone. The trays are emptied as previously described, and arepassed over additional sprockets 170 so as to engage -a ramp 174. As thetrays are caused to engage the ramp 174 and conform to the path imposedthereby on their downward travel, they are held in a partially invertedposition so that the trays can be sprayed and cleansed by any suitablemeans, such as that previously described with reference to FIGURE 2.

For plants such as grass, rye, barley or oats, for example, it has beenfound that the temperature within the germination and growth zone shouldbe maintained at about 68 F. to F. Should the temperature substantiallyexceed 70 F., the plants will usually mold or rot, and should thetemperature decrease substantially below 68 F., the growth rate of theplant is appreciably decreased. The relative humidity within both zonesshould be maintained at about the to the range, which is quite easilyand readily effected by the liquid sprayed within the germination andgrowth zones.

More specifically, the above temperatures and humidity levels applyparticularly to the growth of grass or similar plants, wherein it hasbeen found that the complete growth of the grass is effected bymaintaining the plants within the apparatus for approximately threedays. The time required to make a complete pass of each tray through theapparatus is controlled by the speed of the conveyor chains and can beregulated accordingly. In the growth of grass, for example, it issometimes desirable to produce a growth that is green. In this event,light is directed onto the growth by any suitable means, such as byproviding a light source within the framework. In other instances, it isnot desirable to produce a green coloration of the grass that wouldnaturally occur in sunlight. In this event, no light is provided withinthe framework or housing 20 so that the color of the grass issubstantially a neutral or brown.

As the trays proceed through the framework of the germination and growthzones in an upward direction, the growth becomes taller within eachtray. It will be apparent, then, that the distance between each level oftrays must be sufiicient to allow for the stand of the growth above thetrays. In the embodiment shown in FIG- URE 2, the distance between eachlevel is constant and sufiicient to allow for the growth that occurs.The overall height of the apparatus can be reduced by varying theseparation between horizontal sections of the flexible members inaccordance with the height of the produce at a particular time in itscycle of growth.

Although the invention has been described with reference to particularembodiments thereof, certain modifications and substitutions that do notdepart from the true scope of the invention will undoubtedly occur tothose skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the inventionbe limited only as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A hydroponics apparatus for automatic germination of seed, growth ofproduce therefrom and harvesting of the produce, comprising:

(a) container means;

(b) seed dispensing means for introducing seed into said container meansat the beginning of a growth cycle;

(c) harvesting means for removing the produce from the container meansat the end of a growth cycle;

(d) conveyor means connected to said container means for transportingsaid container means between said seed dispensing means and saidharvesting means and back to said seed dispensing means over apredetermined time cycle to permit the growth of produce; and

(e) cleaning means positioned between said harvesting means and saidseed dispensing means for cleaning and sterilizing said container meansby directing hot water or steam onto said container means after theproduce has been harvested as said container means is transported fromsaid harvesting means to said seed dispensing means.

2. A hydroponics apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidcontainer means comprises a plurality of individual containers.

3. A hydroponics apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including enclosuremeans, said conveyor means transporting said container means from saidseed dispensing means to said harvesting means within said enclosuremeans during said growth cycle.

4. A hydroponics apparatus as set forth in claim 3 including temperaturecontrolling means for controlling the temperature within said enclosuremeans.

5. A hydroponics apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including spray meanspositioned above said conveyor means for applying liquids to said seedto effect the germination thereof and aid in the growth of said seed toproduce.

6. A hydroponics apparatus comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) first and second continuous flexible members supported by said framein parallel relationship;

(c) each of said flexible members being supported by said frame in atortuous path;

(d) a plurality of containers each supported between said first andsecond members in a substantially horizontal plane;

(e) each of said containers being rotatably connected to said first andsecond members whereby said containers remain in an upright positionwhen carried by said first and second continuous flexible members alongsaid tortuous path;

(f) said tortuous path including a plurality of spaced apart,substantially horizontally disposed sections arranged in a verticalarray;

(g) seeder means for introducing seed into each container as it enterssaid vertical array;

(h) harvesting means for displacing each container from the uprighthorizontal position to dump the contents thereof as each of saidcontainers emerges from said vertical array; and

(i) cleaning means positioned between said harvesting means and saidseed dispensing means for cleaning and sterilizing said container meansby directing hot Water or steam onto said container means after theproduce has been harvested as said container means is transported fromsaid harvesting means to said seed dispensin means.

7. A hydroponics apparatus as set forth in claim 6 further includingdrive means for driving said flexible members at a rate whereby the timerequired for each container to traverse a path along said vertical arrayof substantially horizontally disposed sections is sufficient to permita desired amount of growth of produce.

8. A hydroponics apparatus as set forth in claim 6 further includingmeans contacting said container when supported by at least one of saidhorizontally disposed sections for maintaining said containers upright.

9. A hydroponics apparatus as defined in claim 6 further including meansfor spraying liquid into each of said containers as they move along saidtortuous path.

.10. A hydroponics apparatus as defined in claim 6 further includingbafiie means dividing said array of horizontally disposed sections intoa germination zone and a growth zone.

11. A hydroponics apparatus as defined in claim 10 further includingmeans for spraying a liquid comprising water onto said containers asthey move through said germination and growth zones, means for disposingthe excess liquid sprayed on said containers and said germination zoneand means for recirculating the excess liquid sprayed on said containersin the growth zone.

12. A hydroponics apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein each of saidcontainers have outlet means for the draining of liquid therefrom, saidbaflie means being adapted to receive and drain 01f the liquid drainedfrom said containers within the growth zone of said vertical array andadditional means disposed beneath the germination zone of said verticalarray for receiving and draining off liquid drained from each containermeans within the germination zone of the vertical array.

13. A hydroponics apparatus as defined in claim 10 including means forrecirculating the liquid drained off by said first mentioned bafliemeans received from the growth zone.

14. A hydroponics apparatus as defined in claim 6 further includingenclosure means substantially enclosing said frame and means formaintaining a substantially constant temperature within said enclosure.

15. A hydroponics apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said cleaningmeans comprises means for displacing said container from the uprightposition and means for spraying steam or hot water into said containerwhile displaced from the upright position.

16. A hydroponics apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said flexiblemembers are roller chains.

17. A hydroponics apparatus as defined in claim 6 11 12 v wherein saidcontainers include a base portion shaped 2,244,;677 6/1941 Cornell 4717to slope toward at least one portion having openings 2,917,867 12/1959Bailey 47-1.2 therein through which excess liquids flow. 3,276,16310/1966 .Oepen et a1 471.2

3,327,425 6/1967 Dosedla et a1. 47 1.2

' FOREIGN PATENTS 301,474 10/1917 Germany.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 688,740 12/1901 Kissel et a1.1,793Q626 2/ 1931 McCormick 4717 ROBERT E.'BAGWILL, Primary Examiner.

